May 28, 2021

Hey Walsh County locals! We’ve put together a list of the four must-try restaurants in your area, with a bonus for when you’re closer to our neck of the woods.

Shenanigans Family Restaurant

Known for their lunch buffet, which reportedly “always has lots of options,” according to one reviewer on Google, Shenanigans is open every day for dinner and for lunch on every day except for Saturday. It’s located on 547 Hill Ave in Grafton, and according to their website, the eatery is popular for solo dining and has great coffee and dessert. Shenanigans has been around for more than 20 years. One Google Local Guide said, “the food is very, very delicious… the prices are right and you won’t be disappointed.”

Roma’s Italian Bistro

Close on plate of spaghetti with three meatballs and red sauce
Image via Flickr by WordRidden

Open Tuesday through Saturday, Roma’s Italian Bistro is well-known to locals for their feels-like home atmosphere and menu. At 4.9 stars, fans on Google rave about the pasta and garlic rolls. Find Roma’s on 120 E. 12th Street. They do lunch pastas specials Tuesday-Friday, served with their famous garlic rolls. Carry out is available through a drive through; call to ask about dine-in: 701 379-0156.

“Wife and I wanted to try something new, so we took a chance and I’m glad we did, because this is easily our new favorite place to eat. AMAZING food and service! Will definitely be [a] regular stop when in town!” said a reviewer.

La Cantina

With two locations serving North Dakotans, La Cantina features hand-cut carne asada, burgers, fajitas, sandwiches, wings, homemade Mexican sauces, classic or flavored margaritas, and more. Reviewers vouch for the kid-friendly menu, as well!

One reviewer on Facebook said of the ribeye, “I will say it is nothing short of excellent. Very good flavor and nice cut of meat. This will definitely be my go-to meal there and I will highly recommend it to others. Job well done. Great eatery.”

A Google Local Guide recommends you call ahead if your party is large and added, “…the next time I come back, hands down it will be the fajitas beef and chicken. They looked amazing and all I heard around me was how great they are. They also have many sides to choose from and even my grandkids liked the tacos. When you find yourself in Grafton, give La Cantina a try. I think you will go home full and satisfied.”

Find La Cantina in Grafton on 115 W 5th Street in Grafton. They are open at 11 a.m., Monday-Saturday.

Last Chance Bar & Grill

Reviewers rave about the pizza, burgers, Philly steak sandwich, and especially the service and friendly bartenders at Last Chance. Customer reviews average between 4.5 and 4.8 stars.

“The bartender was extremely pleasant and informative… The Philly cheese steak sandwich was delicious!!! Thank you for a great night off from cooking,” said a reviewer on Google. “This place is very welcoming…. And the pizza was AMAZING!!! Thank you so much Last Chance!!” said another on Facebook.

Located on 118 E 5th St in Grafton, this locally-owned is taking orders for dine-in or carry out at 701-352-9650. They’re open every day starting at 11am on weekdays and noon on weekends.

Bonus: Must-Try Eateries Near Rydell Outlet

Have a trip planned to visit our used car dealership in Grand Forks? We’ve included our favorite spots within 15 minutes driving distance of our lot!

Darcy’s Cafe: A Local Treasure 

For some truly delicious comfort food, try Darcy’s Cafe on 1015 North Washington in Grand Forks. With a 4.8 star average on their Facebook page, where more than 300 local and out-of-town fans have chimed in about generous portions, menu variety, and the wonderfully friendly staff, we just couldn’t leave Darcy’s Cafe off this list!

Open through lunch, this local favorite boasts a large, served-all-day breakfast menu, including omelets, specialty platters, sandwiches, and more.

As one reviewer put it, “Breakfast is unmatched, but the burgers, chili, and soups are always top notch, too. Specialty pancakes like lemon-blueberry, pumpkin, and snickerdoodle are awesome.” Darcy’s serves lunch Daily Specials on Monday through Friday. You can choose from two soup options, and the chili mentioned above is available every day.

Another reviewer said, “What an incredible local cafe with the best people and always excellent comfort food. A local treasure.”

This local treasure serves dine-in and curbside to-go. However, check with them about to-go orders; they may only take dine-in customers on peak-season weekends.

The Toasted Frog

Located at 124 N 3rd St in Grand Forks, The Toasted Frog specializes in dishes inspired by global influences. As a plus for gluten-free diners, the Toasted Frog is transparent about dish preparation and the full menu is available online.

An out-of-town Yelp reviewer raved, “My steak was cooked to the exact temperature I requested. Honestly, everything I ordered was better than the first. I definitely recommend this place for some good wine, great cocktails, and a fantastic meal.”

The Toasted Frog is open starting at 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and is reserved for the 21+ crowd. Curbside pickup is available, though keep in mind they will prioritize dine-in clientele when there’s a waiting list.

The Blue Moose Bar & Grill

Looking for a hearty meal along with a cold beer? Located just across the state line at 507 2nd St NW in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, The Blue Moose is sure to have something for you. Open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., this locals’ favorite has a rich menu with a variety of pasta, burger, salad, entree, appetizer, and dessert items. They feature a lounge area called the “Back 40,” named after the 40 beers on tap available to guests. More than 800 fans have reviewed The Blue Moose on Facebook, giving it a 4.5 star average.

Contact Rydell Outlet

All right Walsh County, we want to know what you think. Did we miss one of your favorite restaurants? If we did, let us know! Drop us a line; we’ll be sure to add it to our list.